FRIDAY’S Olympic opening ceremony wowed the world with a dazzling mix of music and theatre.

Pearly Queen Doreen Golding, who lives in Gardner Close, Wanstead, was one of the hundreds of volunteers who took part in the spectacular show.

Doreen joined 30 other Pearly Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses in the show.

Here is her take on what it was like to be part of the greatest show on earth, the hard work that went into making the ceremony such a success and what it was like to meet Danny Boyle:

“I have to say being part of the opening ceremony wasn’t easy, because we spent hours and hours rehearsing for it, often in the pouring rain, sometimes from 10 in the morning until 10 at night.

But when I walked out of that tunnel into that sea of noise and faces on Friday night, the feeling was incredible and I instantly felt that I was taking part in something very, very special.

It was wonderful to see so much British history presented so beautifully against that backdrop of sound and colour.

There was no way we could ever copy what they did in Beijing, but what Danny Boyle did was so different, so British, so amazing – I think it’s a ceremony that will never be forgotten.

I remember when he first talked to us about what he was planning I was absolutely gobsmacked by the scale of it but also very honoured to have been asked to take part.

All the Pearlies went for a meeting with him on the same day as the Chelsea Pensioners back in June and he was a wonderful charming man.

He said to us all: “There is no way I could consider doing the opening ceremony without you, because you represent so much of what is great about London to me.”

That was very inspiring, and I said: “Danny, I’ll do whatever you want as long as you don’t ask me to dress up as a shepherdess and clear up cow pats!”

I think all of the performers were just as inspired by the whole thing, you could see the enthusiasm from everyone taking part and the sense of camaraderie among us was just incredible.

There would be breaks during rehearsals where I’d be sat there in my Pearly Queen outfit having a cup of tea with a couple of suffragettes, the Beatles and the Chelsea Pensioners.

It was all a bit surreal, but at the same time very magical. I know I’ll never forget the experience.  I think we all realise we took part in something which is now part of Britain’s history.”

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